DISGRUNTLED residents living next to Loughborough University are concerned after a licensing application was granted for the supply of alcohol from 10am to 10pm in two outside areas of the union building.

Residents are concerned that this will further fuel anti-social behaviour and noise from students and impact unfavourably on the quality of life of people living nearby.

The Students’ Union says it will work with residents and says that alcohol will only be served outside during special events, not every day of the week.

This application has been granted by Charnwood Borough Council just as the university has signed up to a national pilot project aimed at curbing binge drinking.

George Evans, member of Storer and Ashby Road Residents Group (SARG) who opposed the application, told the Echo: “Now the Students’ Union has a licence to operate seven days a week. At a time when national Government are trying to persuade everyone to drink less we have just given Loughborough University a licence to sell alcohol from 10am outside until 4am inside.”

The licensing committee at the council granted the application on Friday, June 20. The application is for the outdoor area around the Students’ Union to have boxing/wrestling/films/music live and recorded and supply of alcohol every day of the week – without exclusion from 10am to 10pm.

The two areas are around the fountain (eight events per year) and the grass area (permanently) just outside the main Students’ Union building.

Dr Carol Humphrey, writing on behalf of SARG, wrote to the committee stating: “There is a history of nuisance caused by levels of noise from events currently held in the external areas associated with the Students’ Union.

“There is no evidence that the Students’ Union would implement any additional controls to prevent this public nuisance.”

Peter and Christine Lewis, of Cotswold Close, said: “In the past events held in the external areas around the building have caused a great deal of disturbance to residents living in the vicinity of the university campus.

“We live only 100 yards or so from the Students’ Union building and we feel that this application for a permanent licence, seven days a week is unreasonable and would impact unfavourably on the quality of life of ourselves and other residents.”

Zak Evans, who heads finance and commercial services at the Students’ Union, told the Echo: “The licence gives us more freedom during the nice weather to give students better experiences up to 10am to 10pm.

“If we want a temporary event in the past outside we had to apply for it with the council and then only allow a maximum of 499 persons. It allows us to expand on that.

“I think residents think we are aiming to supply alcohol from 10am and then for students to come inside the building (until 4am) but that is not the case. We won’t be supplying alcohol outside there permanently.”